Coach: Scott Enrico (head coach)
Top Returning Players: Andrew Choi (11), Jonathan Jeon (11), Felipe Jikal (10), Caleb Kim (12), Troy Kwon (11)
Top Newcomer: Cole Kim (11)
Last Season: The Lancers dominated the Freeway League with an 8-0 record, making it their 20th consecutive league championship. Although the team fell short of reaching the Division 1 [D1] CIF State Championship, they finished in the Top 10.
In terms of individuals, then-senior Caleb Kim and then-junior Kwon made it to the Southern California Regional State Qualifiers last season, both shooting -1. However, these scores were not enough to qualify for the next round.
Outlook: Because of re-leaguing, the Lancers will work toward starting a new streak of championship titles in the Crestview League. Gone are all the teams from the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, including rival Troy. Instead, the golfers will face Yorba Linda, Cypress, Canyon and Crean Lutheran, a private school in Irvine.
“Our primary goal, just like other seasons, is to win the [new] league — that’s step one,” Enrico said. “I’d also like to see all six of our starters qualify for CIF individuals and of course, winning another CIF team title and making it back to the state championships would be great.”
The head coach said he also expects his players to adjust to the new level of competition.
“There will always be that pressure to perform and win,” Enrico said. “Our boys are used to the pressure; they’ve been playing under pressure all their lives.”
The team is also stacked with three D1 commits: Caleb Kim (San Diego State University), Cole Kim (University of California, San Diego) and Jeon (Air Force Academy). That will also make the Lancers a favorite to take the inaugural Crestview League title and advance deep into CIF playoffs.
“I think we have a great chance at making state and even winning,” Caleb Kim said. “Different from our past years, we have three D1 college-committed players on our team this year, which is more than when we made the state championship in 2022.”
Enrico agrees.
“Our boys just need to continue to play to the best of their abilities. They are a confident group, and they know they have the skill,” the head coach said. “Golf is their life; our guys do nothing but [go to] school, [play] golf and compete.”
Enrico brought up the accomplishments of his players from two seasons ago as to what they need to do in 2024-2025.
“Last season, our boys didn’t gel at the right time,” he said. “We need a solid team to fire great rounds so we can win the CIF championship like the last one in 2023.”
Cole Kim said he looks forward to being a strong addition to the team while being a role model as an upperclassman.
“What excites me the most as an upperclassman is being able to make an impact on this team,” said Cole Kim, who ranks Top 10 in California for the Class of 2026. “I am a new player on the team but knowing the team is already strong, I want to help by making it even stronger, and I believe we have a chance to do well and go far.”
The Lancers entered their first pre-season tournament on Monday, Feb. 24, at the Ayala Spring Classic (Los Serranos South) with a 17-stroke win. Since then, the team has beaten Cerritos, Troy, Mater Dei and Sonora High Schools.
The Lancers started their league play 2-0 against Crean Lutheran on Monday, March 10, and their second game against Yorba Linda on Thursday, March 27, winning by 15 strokes. The team will play its next match against Cypress on Tuesday, April 1, at the Navy Destroyer Golf Course.
